“Justice needs witnesses”: Valletta vigil raises alarm over free speech and corruption

Jan 16, 2026 7:52 pm CET

—

by

At a vigil held in Pjazza l-Assedju l-Kbir, Valletta, speakers warned that Malta’s democratic safeguards are being steadily weakened, as intimidation, fear and misuse of freedom of expression continue to silence critics and whistleblowers.

Anne Demarco, of #occupyjustice, addressed what she described as a dangerous distortion of “freedom of expression”, where public officials invoke the right to justify attacks on journalists, artists and critics, while erasing protest and dissent. Quoting Daphne Caruana Galizia extensively, Demarco underlined that freedom of expression exists to hold power to account and protects citizens from state interference — not the other way around.

Carlo Rossi, a student, reflected on humanity’s long tradition of using storytelling, satire and art to criticise those in power, from ancient Greek epics to Shakespeare. He argued that despite unprecedented access to information through social media, modern algorithms and digital “bubbles” increasingly distort reality, discourage critical thinking and protect political and economic power. Rossi stressed that education, media literacy and historical awareness remain the strongest tools against manipulation and self-censorship.

Rosette Thake from Repubblika focused on recent developments in Malta’s justice system, linking them directly to the legacy of murdered journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. While welcoming a court decision that applied whistleblower protection in a human trafficking case, Thake highlighted contradictions in how institutions still intimidate witnesses. She criticised the Prime Minister’s refusal to publish ministers’ asset declarations, warning that secrecy fuels impunity. Thake also cited the Vitals case as evidence of an environment designed to discourage testimony through public attacks, intimidation and fear.

All speakers stressed that remembering Daphne Caruana Galizia is inseparable from defending truth, accountability and the right to speak without fear, warning that democracy cannot survive where silence is enforced through intimidation.

You can watch the vigil in full here.